Listener Crossword 4640: Solution Notes
Replacements by IOA
Puzzle explanation
The 12 altered answers were anagrammed to form grid entries that were European towns and cities. The alternative title in the main diagonal was AROUND EUROPE.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer (entry) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 1 | RAY (AYR) | X-RAY − X |
| 3 | HICCUPED | HIC + CUP + ED |
| 10 | TROUT | TREAT with “TR OUT” = EAT |
| 11 | ABRADER | (ARE DRAB) * |
| 12 | CORONAL (LOCARNO) | CO + RONALD − D |
| 16 | EDMUND | (FUNDED with M for F) with letters cycled |
| 18 | DIETS | DIES around (desser)T |
| 19 | EVINCE (VENICE) | EVI(de)NCE |
| 20 | STEP | PETS < |
| 21 | SEASIDE | SE + A + SIDE |
| 23 | DORY | D(inghy) OR (dingh)Y |
| 24 | PILE | 2 meanings |
| 25 | SEA FOAM | SEA + OF < + A + M |
| 28 | EDEN | (r)ED(-l)E(a)N(ing), ie letters in prime positions |
| 30 | ACTUAL | ACTUARY − RY + L |
| 32 | LENIN | L(eader) + NINE < |
| 33 | WARREN | 2 meanings |
| 35 | EYEHOOK | EYE + HOOK, ref. Peter Pan character |
| 37 | TESTIER (TRIESTE) | TIER after SET < |
| 38 | OOMPH | O’ + 0 MPH |
| 39 | STASHING (HASTINGS) | STING around ASH |
| 40 | EVE | EVE(n) |
| Down | ||
| 1 | HASTEN (ATHENS) | TEN after HAS |
| 2 | ROOM | (MOTOR − T) < |
| 4 | ITA | (V)I(e)T(n)A(m) |
| 5 | CARDI | I’D < after CAR |
| 6 | URODELA | (ARE LOUD) * |
| 7 | PAIRS (PARIS) | P(layers) + AIRS |
| 8 | EDGE TOOL | DOLE * around (GET + O) |
| 9 | CRISPY | CRY around (I + SP) |
| 13 | CUES | homophone of QUEUES |
| 14 | CINE (NICE) | C + IN + E |
| 15 | ITERATE | ER in (I + TATE) |
| 17 | DREIDEL | E in RIDDLE * |
| 19 | VALIANCE (VALENCIA) | (IN A CAVE) * around L |
| 22 | INANEST | IN A NEST |
| 24 | PELITE | P + ELITE |
| 25 | SCRY | (fortune-teller’)S CRY(stal) |
| 26 | AFRO (FARO) | A + (coi)F(fed) (cu)R(ly) (m)O(p) |
| 27 | MANCHE | MANCHESTER − REST * |
| 29 | MINES (NÎMES) | MINE + S |
| 31 | ’TWEEN | TEEN around W |
| 34 | MORE (ROME) | 2 meanings; ref. Sir Thomas More |
| 36 | HOG | HOG(warts) |